King-Lynk Funeral Home obituary - Cleta J. Beimer, 86, Fort Madison

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Cleta J. Beimer, 86, of Fort Madison, Iowa passed away peacefully on March 10, 2021 at Fort Madison Community Hospital.  Born on February 16, 1935 at home in rural Niota, and raised on the family farm  Cleta was the daughter of John Daniel and Florence Boeddeker Hogan.

      On May 14, 1955 Cleta married Kenneth (Kenny) Beimer at St. Joseph Catholic Church in  Fort Madison. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in May of 2020. Cleta and Kenny raised 5 children together: Alan Beimer (Pam) of McCook Lake, South Dakota; Jacqueline Lumsden (Jim) of Fort Madison, Iowa; Jennifer Beimer Houser (John) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jocelyn Beimer of Fort Madison, Iowa; and Jeanna (Ian) Orton of West Point, Iowa.

Cleta is survived by her husband Kenny, their children, and beloved grandchildren: Amy Beimer, Sierra Lumsden, Logan Lumsden (Nicole), Emma Houser, Madelyn Orton, Milo Orton; and greatgrandchildren: Kaitlyn Munson and Norah Lumsden. Also surviving are her three sisters; Mary Elizabeth Scheetz of Nauvoo, IL, Cecelia (Dick) Richards of Mount Pleasant, Iowa and Martha Galbraith of Burlington, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. 

      An esteemed real estate agent, Cleta sold homes in Fort Madison for nearly 20 years until she retired in 2007. Prior to her successful real estate career, Cleta answered the phones and performed secretarial duties for Kenny’s and his brother, Steve’s plumbing business, while gracefully running a bustling household. A woman of unwavering faith, Cleta was a member of Sacred Heart Church and was a proud advocate of catholic education—of which herself and Kenny, along with their 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild attended. Cleta was also an active fixture and familiar face in the Aquinas school system, and later Holy Trinity. Cleta and Kenny served on Aquinas God’s Portion Day Committee. She and Kenny were very active in the Jaycees, where they met lifelong friends, including the Burton and Feinberg families. 

       Cleta’s smile and positive attitude was infectious to all who knew and loved her. She loved playing cards, watching birds and squirrels from her porch, and visiting the Hogan family farm in Niota, IL.  

Above all, Cleta was a loving wife, wise mother, and supportive grandmother and friend. From volleyball and tennis matches, to baseball games, FFA banquets, graduations, and dance recitals; Cleta was her grandchildren’s biggest fan. She cherished every card game, coloring page, and porch swing with them. 

Cleta was preceded in death by, and is now reveling in the reunion with, her parents, three brothers, George, Bernard, and John D; three sisters, Alberta, Irene & Margaret; and several close friends, cousins, aunts, and uncles. 

   The family will meet with friends from 1-3 PM on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory.  The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Sacred Heart Church.  Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  The family requests that social distancing procedures be followed.  Per her wishes, cremation has been entrusted to King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory.  The family would like to thank the staff at The Kensington and FMCH for the compassionate care they provided. 

    In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Holy Trinity Catholic Schools and online condolences may be left at www.kinglynk.com

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